Is green burial legal?

Yes. Most of what is thought of as cemetery laws are actually rules of individual cemeteries or just common practices. There is no law that a burial vault must be used, but many cemeteries require them for ease of lawn maintenance and closer spacing of graves. Embalming is only required under rare circumstances such as death from cholera.

Since burial vaults are made from concrete shouldn’t they be considered green?

While the concrete and metal in vaults may be considered “natural” to some, the manufacturing and transporting of vaults uses a tremendous amount of energy and causes enormous carbon emission. In the US, vault manufacturing uses 1.6 million tons of reinforced concrete each year. Furthermore, concrete vaults, primarily used in conventional cemeteries for land support and preventing casket damage, significantly slows down the natural process of decomposition compared to direct ground burial.

Will animals disturb the gravesites?

No. Green burial is one of the oldest methods for eliminating the odors from decomposing organic materials. It has been shown that only 12 inches of soil is needed to prevent animals from digging into graves. Ramsey Creek, a natural burial cemetery in South Carolina started in 1996, has a wild boar population as well as black bears and they have never experienced any problems. This is one of those myths popular in scary stories. Nature preserve cemeteries throughout the United States have not experienced animals disturbing graves in any way. Pioneers buried in cemeteries near wilderness areas did not experience grave disturbances from animals, even with relatively shallow graves.

Will a natural burial cemetery hurt water quality?

No. Because green cemeteries don’t have run-off of fertilizers, spilled fuels or toxins, natural burial land produces cleaner water than urban, suburban, or agricultural areas. Soil is a remarkably good filter. Products of decomposition are contained and don’t leak into the water table. The forest and meadow watershed at Penn Forest will provide safe, clean water for both the Plum Creek and the Allegheny River.

Can families have a viewing if the body is not embalmed?

This is an issue to discuss with your funeral director. Policies and laws for viewing unembalmed bodies vary from state to state and funeral home to funeral home. Refrigeration and dry ice are methods of temporary preservation that some funeral homes use in lieu of embalming. There are also Green Burial Council approved non-toxic embalming fluids that may be used. If you want a green burial with a viewing and no embalming, you’ll need to find a funeral home that will accommodate your wishes. You can start your search with local green certified funeral homes here.

Doesn’t embalming preserve a body for all time?

No. It only slows decomposition for a short time—weeks to months.

Is green burial against anyone’s religion?

This is a tough question to answer, considering the wide diversity of religious faiths and their inherent beliefs. It does not conflict with any of the major religions’ views. Some organized religions even require natural burial, such as the Jewish and Muslim faiths. Natural burial acts are in accordance with the most ancient burial traditions. Because green burial obeys the biblical injunction, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Genesis 3:19, KJV), it complies with most Christian burial traditions and requirements, as well. In fact, many catholic cemeteries have added green burial sections to their conventional cemeteries.

How can I learn more about green burial?

You can visit the Green Burial Council’s website. This is an organization that sets standards and benchmarks for cemeteries, funeral homes and product providers offering natural burial options. Those organizations meeting their standards can receive GBC certification and approved provider status.